Some Low-carb Rice Cookers Increase Carbs: Watchdog

The Consumer Council has warned people with diabetes not to rely on "low-carb" rice cookers to help control their blood sugar levels, saying some of those on the market barely work and can even do the exact opposite of what they're supposed to.

The watchdog said it recently tested 11 cookers purported to be able to cut the amount of carbohydrates in rice by using an extra inner pot that allows water to drain away.

Rice cooked in six of the models actually contained a higher amount of carbs than rice cooked in a traditional cooker, the council said.

It added that tests also found that in some cases the amount of carbohydrates in the rice varied little regardless of whether a cooker's "low-carb" or "normal mode" was used.

The level in one sample of "low-carb" rice was even higher than a sample cooked in "normal mode", the watchdog added.

The council's Victor Lui said the carb-reducing performance of the cookers is "doubtful" and people with diabetes should be wary about using them to help control their blood sugar levels.

"Low-carb rice is not necessarily healthier than normal rice. If consumers let their guard down, and increase the serving size of the low-carb rice, it may counter-productively increase the carbohydrates intake and pose health risks," he said.

Meanwhile, the watchdog urged cat owners to pay attention to the canned or wet food they feed their pets, saying most of the products it recently tested did not meet international standards on mineral content.

It said insufficient or excessive intake of minerals such as iron and iodine can lead to anaemia or thyroid problems.

The council urged cat owners to check nutritional labels on food packaging, and to consider whether they are buying complete or complementary cat food.